Wednesday, 10 June 2009

[Euro U21] Casiraghi finds room for improvement

Italy completed their preparations for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with a 4-0 victory against Denmark in Farum on Tuesday, though coach Pierluigi Casiraghi still found room for improvement.

Denmark fielded players eligible for the 2011 edition and it was almost too easy for Italy as Mario Balotelli, Robert Acquafresca, Daniele Dessena and Andrea Ranocchia took full advantage with a goal apiece for the five-time U21 champions.

It was a timely confidence boost for Casiraghi's side ahead of their tournament opener against Serbia on 16 June, though the 40-year-old coach will not be letting his players get carried away with the result.

"We did some things well and some things less well today," he said. "I liked the way we kept possession but our physical condition is not yet at its peak.

"We still have a few days to work on that before the tournament starts."

Casiraghi added that there was also time to make changes to his side.

"I still have to decide who will start against Serbia," he said. "I have more than eleven players who deserve to play so it will be a tough call."

One thing Casiraghi is unlikely to change is his three-pronged attack in a 4-3-3 formation. Acquafresca started in the centre with Balotelli on the right and Sebastian Giovinco on the left, with the latter often moving to a deeper role in the centre to find space.

"I think the three attackers did well but they still have to improve their understanding of each other," Casiraghi said. "We cannot risk being caught off balance when we lose possession."

The squad are continuing their preparations in Denmark before they travel to Scandinavian neighbours Sweden and their tournament base in Helsingborg on Saturday afternoon.

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